Getting around Jodhpur in the Most Exciting Way

When getting around the celebrated city of Jodhpur, there are several forms of transport and travel packages to choose from. However, an exciting way to truly experience a foreign land is by getting “lost” on your own without purchasing a packaged tour itinerary; that is at least how backpackers do it. Below are three important sets of information when touring Jodhpur on your own.

Tour the city using auto-rickshaws

First, here are some details about the city that could just compel you to start booking your trip to India. To put it simply, Jodhpur is a picturesque Indian city that is rich in history, culture and natural wonders. It is one of those places on earth that will wow you and make you say, “I never thought a city like this existed on the planet.”

The most important site to see is the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, one of India’s oldest and grandest forts. You will not believe your eyes. In 1458, the rulers of the city built thick walls to enclose an entire hill and convert it into a fortress 400 feet above the city with winding roads leading to and from Jodhpur.

Mehrangarh Fort owns a unique distinction as the only fortress in the country that was not controlled by invading forces. In one part of its walls, one can still see today where the cannonballs from invading Jaipur armies hit. The fort has seven imposing gates. Inside the gates and rocky walls are a museum, palace, halls, temples, gardens and a spectacular view of the city below. The Mehrangarh museum inside the fort is one of India’s most visited museums. The fort is clearly Jodhpur’s pride.

Jodhpur is found in the state of Rajasthan in northwestern India near Pakistan. The city is known by two significant monikers: “Sun City” and “Blue City”. It bathes under the hot Asian sun since it is located along the outskirts of a desert and most of its homes are color blue, making the city unmistakably bluish when seen from a distance.

Second, discover the different modes of transport that will take you around this historic city. You can go on a rental car or take the taxi, a mini bus, an auto rickshaw or a horse-drawn carriage called “tonga”. Any of these choices can easily take you to the most important tourist spots since Jodhpur is not a big metropolis.

Getting around Jodhpur may be challenging for first time travelers since the streets are often jam-packed with auto-rickshaws, motorcycles, cars, and cows. Cows are considered sacred in India, which is why they are allowed to freely roam anywhere as they please. Often it is better to see the city on foot, but make sure not to be caught walking and lost at nightfall.

Finally, here are a few tips on which places to see and what activities to do. As already mentioned, Meherangarh Fort is where everything begins. From the majestic fort, you can just walk to several other interesting sites such as Jaswant Thada, a beautiful royal marble palace near a lake.